Bear proudly served in WWII and the Korean Conflict, and as an Army Reserve Captain until 1967.

In 1955, Tom went to work for the U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, retiring in 1978.

For 25 years he loved being Santa for the families and children served by the Forgotten Children’s Fund in the Puget Sound area.

Bear loved everything there was about our Mukilteo community, never missing a chance to volunteer at the lighthouse for tours, being Santa, or being a “Corn Guy” at the Boys & Girls Club Luau. The view of the island, water, Mt. Baker, and many amazing sunsets from his Mukilteo home never ceased to captivate him.